Debbie Braaksma
In July 2005 Debbie was appointed jointly by the Reformed Church in America and the PC(USA) to serve with RECONCILE (Resource Centre for Civil Leadership), an indigenous, ecumenical Christian organization in a conflict-ridden country in the horn of Africa.
RECONCILE was established in March 2004 by a church council to do peace building through providing training in trauma healing, conflict transformation and civic education. The focus for RECONCILE's activities is in the areas of high inter-ethnic conflict and the churches are the typical entry point into these communities. "Who can better lead the process of reconciliation," asks Debbie, "than the churches of Christ, those who have personally experienced reconciliation to God through Jesus Christ?"
Along with their African colleagues, the Braaksmas are involved in facilitating training events in these areas of inter-ethnic conflict, as well as at the RECONCILE training centre. Debbie is the acting principal of the RECONCILE Peace Institute.
